United Kingdom: Container Market 2025

Container Market Size in the UK

The UK container market fell sharply to $X in 2022, shrinking by -17.4% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, saw a prominent increase. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Container Production in the UK

In value terms, container production reduced dramatically to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 67% against the previous year. Container production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Container Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2022, approx. X units of tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers were exported from the UK; with a decrease of -4.2% on the year before. In general, total exports indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -26.1% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X units in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, container exports contracted slightly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 42% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Belgium (X units), France (X units) and the Netherlands (X units) were the main destinations of container exports from the UK, together comprising 48% of total exports. Italy, Ireland, Spain, Germany, the United States, Turkey and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 41%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +36.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for container exported from the UK were France ($X), Belgium ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), with a combined 38% share of total exports. Ireland, Italy, the United States, Germany, Spain, Poland and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 45%.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +32.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average container export price amounted to $X per unit, standing approx. at the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 11%. The export price peaked at $X per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Belgium ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Germany (+3.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Container Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2022, overseas purchases of tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers were finally on the rise to reach X units for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 29%. Imports peaked at X units in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, container imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +74.8% against 2020 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Germany (X units), Spain (X units) and the Czech Republic (X units) were the main suppliers of container imports to the UK, together accounting for 43% of total imports. China, Turkey, Italy, the Netherlands, Hungary, Switzerland, Portugal, Ireland and France lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 44%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Hungary (with a CAGR of +19.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest container suppliers to the UK were Germany ($X), China ($X) and Spain ($X), with a combined 45% share of total imports. The Czech Republic, Italy, Turkey, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Portugal, Hungary and Ireland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 41%.

Hungary, with a CAGR of +17.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average container import price stood at $X per unit in 2022, with an increase of 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the average import price increased by 37%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per unit), while the price for Ireland ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+26.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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